Italian
Convincing 4-0 victory for the Under 21 National Team against North Macedonia. A match that started off easily with Ndour’s goal after 4 minutes
EMPOLI – We needed to win, and that’s what happened. In the first leg, it was a narrow 1-0 away win, but with Italy down to 10 men. Yesterday, however, it was a resounding 4-0 that could have been even more decisive, with the first half opened just 4 minutes in by Ndour with a header, followed by a hit on the post and the crossbar by Lipani. In the second half, the tide turns with the Azzurri captain finally managing to score.
Just a minute passes and it’s Ekhator who makes the hat-trick. With 5 minutes left, the newly entered Fini is fouled in the area and goes to take the penalty for 4-0.
An important result for Italy, which thanks to this success rises to 18 points in Group E, with Poland playing today against Armenia. The Azzurrini continue their pursuit of the top spot, which grants immediate access to the final phase of the 26th edition of the European Championship for this category, to be held in Albania and Serbia in 2027.
The statements
The analysis of the Technical Commissioner of the Azzurrini Silvio Baldini: “Since the 1-0 in Macedonia until tonight, the team has grown, especially because we were left with ten players at that time, the players are more mature, they enjoy themselves and are happy: I am satisfied with the performance. The team works well because the boys are good and have improved because they have good coaches, so the credit goes to those who train them in clubs. During the break, they understood that we could do even more and they succeeded: I am happy for them, they deserve to win and perform well. From tomorrow we will think about Sweden, it will be a match of a higher level: we are strong, I have confidence.”
The scorecard
ITALY-NORTH MACEDONIA 4-0 (halftime 1-0)
Italy (4-3-3): Palmisani; Favasuli (from 1’st Kayode) Comuzzo, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani (from 13’st Venturino), Dagasso; Cherubini (from 13’st Fini), Ekhator (from 37’st Raimondo), Koleosho (from 29’st Cacciamani). Bench: Daffara, Guarino, Ahanor, Berti. Coach: Baldini
North Macedonia (4-2-3-1): Ljupche; Arizanoski, Meljichi, Djekov, Hamza; Angelov (from 24’ Latifi), Maslarov (from 13’st Sofijanoski); Danev (from 39’st Stojanov), Durakov (13’st Gjorgievski), Trajkov; Gashtarov. Bench: Vasilev, Filevski, Stojanoski, Kurtishi, Stojilevski. Coach: Stanikj
Goals: 4’pt Ndour (I); 4st’ Lipani (I), 5’ Ekhator (I), 41’rig. Fini (I)
Referee: David Dickinson (Scotland); Assistants: David McGeachie (Scotland), Jonathan Bell (Scotland); Fourth official: Lloyd Wilson (Scotland)
Note: cautioned Lipani (I) at 18’, Favasuli (I) at 32’; 1277 spectators present
GROUP RESULTS AND STANDINGS AND
Photo Credits: Figc.it
